8 Tips for Safe Winter Road Trips

As much as I hate to use the ‘W’ word since we are just starting to see Autumn appear, we have to face the fact that winter-like weather can happen at anytime. In fact, parts of Alberta saw snow in late August and early September. And here we go, but are you ready?

Living in Canada means that our weather doesn’t coincide with what the calendar says; it can be hot and sunny one day with frost on the ground by morning. This means that we Albertans have to be prepared for whatever our crazy weather throws at us, well before we think it might come.

This is also a time of year when Canadians take many road trips; for reasons such as activities, events, to visit friends and family, or just for fun! Yet before the family jumps in the car with their devices and suitcases, there are some important steps to make, to ensure that road trip is a safe one.

Here are 8 Tips for Safe Winter Road Trips

1. Ensure your vehicle is winter ready – Ensure your vehicle is full of winter washer fluid, and check those tires as they lose air with drops in temperature. This is a good time to replace wiper blades too. Whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it, now is the time to get a winter tune-up to ensure brakes, lights and battery is in good working order. As soon as it snows, install those winter tires to improve vehicle handling and safety when on snow and ice. Everything mentioned contributes heavily to that safe road trip!

2. Check the Road Report – Before you leave for any road trip, familiarize yourself with the weather resorts and road conditions. This could make or break the entire trip, actually. You might need to postpone or delay leaving for your road trip if driving is risky.

4. Pack an Emergency Kit – While it’s advised to always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times, checking for supplies in the kit is necessary before you depart on that road trip. You might need to add extra items like water, foods that are filling, a couple extra blankets, and a candle. When stranded for longer periods of time in the winter months, safety and health is a top concern and if roads are really bad, it might be some time until assistance arrives.

5. Know the Road – Before you leave for your road trip, take time to map out your destination. Check weather conditions at your destination as well, and do a quick online search for any closures or road warnings. It’s a good idea to ensure your GPS is up to date with current information, your phone is charged – and don’t forget to notify someone not travelling with you, of which route you are going to take.

6. Have a Full Tank – One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given when I got my first car was to never let my gas gauge go below half-way, to prevent the fuel line from freezing. This advice has stuck with me since, and one that I faithfully keep on top of. So, you might have to set aside time in your trip for a gas station pitstop.

7. Drive Safely – This may sound like an obvious one, but it’s so crucial that it has to be included. Plan your road trip accordingly, which may mean assigning extra time for driving if road conditions mean driving a little slower. Leave plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles for safety, and ensure you are alert and attentive for your drive.

8. Ensure you’re Covered – I’m talking about insurance! Before you depart, brush up on your insurance policy and make coverage adjustments if necessary, depending on your itinerary and needs. It’s better to be safe than sorry in all situations, and this includes coverage.

Esurance, backed by Allstate has been operating in the states since the late 1990’s, yet did you know that it’s now available to Albertans? It’s an insurance company that provides self-directed consumers with smart choices for auto insurance.

It’s a fact that our country is among the highest rate of internet usage in the world. We Canadians are top online users for everything such as banking, booking travel, and shopping online. Consumers like those in the province of Alberta, also prefer to shop for their insurance online – and Esurance comes with a modern-world approach to auto insurance.

With Esurance you can research insurance options and access documents online, day or night, 365 days a year. The end-to-end online experience goes from quote to online purchase and beyond, allowing consumers to manage their auto insurance how and when they want it, from the comfort of their own home.

Esurance offers a suite of innovative benefits for life in the modern world, including:

Coverage Counsellor – An online tool that helps consumers find the right insurance coverage for their needs and empowers them to save time and money on their auto insurance. The Coverage Counsellor tool suggests coverages to consider based on answers to a few questions.

What If® Calculator – Provides personalized online estimates of how certain events might lower or raise one’s premium. The What If Calculator lets you see how accidents, tickets, changing vehicles or moving could affect your rate.

In addition to online, Esurance customer service agents are available 24/7 by phone if customers need a little extra support, so everyone can find the right coverage at the right price.

Before you take that next road trip, ensure all the bases are covered and this includes being prepared for unpleasant experiences along the way. While it’s hoped not, you might experience a trip interruption along the way.

With Esurance, no matter where you are and what road trip you are on, they are with you.

slow down everyone is in such a hurry and drive way faster than they should in certain conditions. If you need to be somewhere leave earlier, give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination. That way you have a much less stressfull drive

Prepare an emergency kit or bag, for as many people as are travelling with you, in the event you got stuck in your car for 72 hours — a “bug-out” bag. It should contain extra warm and waterproof clothes and footwear, a first aid kit, plenty of extra water, non perishable food, votive candles and matches in a mason jar with holes in the lid, a cell phone charger, a neon X vest, pen and paper for notes or messages, flashlight with extra batteries, toilet paper, a small pail, plastic bags…you just NEVER know what could happen on the road, or what kind of severe weather could disrupt our journey.

My best tip is start a long trip when they are still asleep. We pack them in the car in Jammies and cover them with a blanket. We can usually get a a good 3 to 4 hours in before they wake up for breakfast.

My biggest tip is to always have a shovel, booster cables and blanket in the trunk of your car as well as any other emergency items you may need should you get stuck in the middle of winter. Drive cautiously and courteously in the winter!

My tip is to have a map for the area. It can help you better understand where you are and help you correct a wrong turn, or make a decision about whether to take a side trip because something piques your interest. A map does not run out of power.

My biggest tip for a safe and successful road trip is to take the car in for a service check up before you go. That way all the fluid levels will be full and ready, and any deficiencies can be picked up on before you hit the road. One time our service check revealed a large gauge in our tire that we hadn’t noticed, and the technician said the tire most likely would have blown on the highway at the high speeds we would have been traveling at, and that would have been a disaster! We were so glad we had the car checked over before we left! We did have to delay our trip slightly so that we could get the new tire put on, but it was worth it to avoid an accident on the trip!

Check your car over or have a mechanic check your car over before the trip. It can save you a whole lot of headache on the road. When possible keep a emergency cash tucked away. You never know what could happen.

Living in the country, I make sure I have a well stocked emergency kit on board at all times. This includes a cell phone with a charged battery (and a little luck that nothing happens in a cell phone dead zone).

Give yourself plenty of time, you may have to drive to road conditions and this could delay you. Don’t rush, you are better to arrive late than to rush in poor conditions with an increased risk of accident.

I always make sure I have my cell phone charged and if I know I am going to be driving somewhere where there will be no service I make sure to tell someone where I am going and when I should be expected to arrive or be back.

Better late than never. I never understand why people drive fast and without consideration for others, leave an extra hour earlier if you have to . Also you need a snack bag with emergency , food , drinks, extra mittens socks hats, a blanket or 2 the foil ones and some extra money for the just in case . I thank my nana for those tips

I always pack a surprise bag, for the kids. It contains snacks,books & a few other fun items. This way when they are bored with what they have picked to bring with them,I have the things I know they like!

Always plan your route, have a winter emergency kit in the trunk which includes blankets and stop on long trips and wait out bad weather, its not worth it pushing through. A hard lesson I learned is always have a pair of boots in the car especially when your wearing stellar heels b/c you have a meeting at work, you never know when you’ll need them.

being prepared is the most important part of any road trip. Enough to eat and drink? tunes-Check! and also being prepared for winter emergencies ie) having a blanket or sleeping bag if you are out on a highway, matches and candle, cell phone charged… and CAA if your car gives you troubles!

Before the snow starts to fall, it is so important to have read this checklist. People become a little unprepared for that first major snowfall so it is nice to have an emergency kit and a plan ready for when it comes. We live in Canada and are bound to have a few heavy storms come our way so it is a must to be prepared. Thanks for the tips!

I always make sure my kids take appropriate outerwear for the season even if they don’t need it when we leave due to it being nicer, things can change and you just never know what will happen. Also, always have lots of extra water/snacks for same reason. I remember my Mom making us do these very things growing up.

Holy batman, tune up engine. Wow, prize road kit is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. A life saver. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂 Pick me.